Congo [The Democratic Republic of the] (B), Kenya (B), Uganda (B).
Unknown to Rwanda (B) (NB).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2012) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction through forest clearance for agriculture and timber is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Insects.
Voice
A thin, soft 'tsseet tsseet', and a short buzzy trill, difficult to hear.
Chapin's Flycatcher (Muscicapa lendu) [XC430443]
by Andrew Spencer from Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda (call, song)
Chapin's Flycatcher (Muscicapa lendu) [XC430445]
by Peter Boesman from Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda (call, song)
Subspecies
Chapin's Flycatcher (Fraseria lendu) and Itombwe Alseonax (Muscicapa itombwensis) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) have been lumped into Muscicapa lendu following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993).
Forms a superspecies with Olivaceous Flycatcher (Fraseria olivascens). Has been thought to be a hybrid between Olivaceous Flycatcher (Fraseria olivascens) and Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica), but is a distinct species. Subspecies itombwensis is sometimes considered a separate species on basis mainly of its more pointed wing.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
lendu (Chapin, 1932) - North-eastern DRCongo (Lendu Plateau), south-western Uganda (Bwindi Forest) and western Kenya (Kakamega Forest, North Nandi Forest).
itombwensis Prigogine, 1957 - Eastern DRCongo (Itombwe Mts). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Itombwe Alseonax (Muscicapa itombwensis).
Similar Species
Very similar Olivaceous Flycatcher (Fraseria olivascens) has yellow lower mandible (can be very difficult to see in field). Care needed with identification, as the two species overlap in range and their altitudinal limits uncertain.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet